Coats, jackets & knitwear - Dec sales up at Tokyo Dept stores

13 Feb '06

2 min read

Australian Wool Innovation Limited conveyed that a strong increase in clothing sales in Tokyo department stores during December was supported by demand for heavy-weight winter clothing, such as coats, jackets, and knitwear.

A severe cold snap ensured winter clothing sales grew strongly in Japan, in particular for men's and women's coats in wool and down. Japanese clothing retailers reported coat stock shortages as a result.

There have been reports that department stores in Tokyo and Osaka increased their sales of overcoats by between 10-50 percent in the three months from October to December.

It is likely that after having suffered warmer winters during the previous few seasons, retailers were extremely cautious about stocking wool coats this season and had shifted their focus towards lighter-weight items.

The sudden pick-up in demand for coats because of the cold weather gave retailers little time to replace the dwindling stocks. This lift in demand at retail has not affected demand in the Japanese and Chinese wool pipeline immediately, although it has contributed to positive order forecasts for the autumn/winter 2006/07 season.

The biggest gain in wages in 18 months in December has helped the strong pace of sales continue into January as has the cold weather and heavy snow in Japan.

Australian Wool Innovation Limited

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